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Daily Mail
a minute ago
- Daily Mail
Mikel Arteta shares the MOST IMPORTANT trait he looks for in a signing - and the two players he must gel with in Arsenal dressing room
Mikel Arteta has revealed the crucial trait he looks for in a transfer target and the two players any new signing must gel with in the Arsenal dressing room. As they continue to try and end their more than 20-year wait for the Premier League title, the Gunners have made a number of high-profile signings in recent years. They scooped England midfielder Declan Rice in a £105million deal a couple of years ago, in the same transfer window they splashed out more than £60m on rival Chelsea forward Kai Havertz. And the club's big spending certainly hasn't stopped this summer, with Arteta notably bolstering his squad with Martin Zubimendi from Real Sociedad, Noni Madueke from Chelsea and the highly-sought after Viktor Gyokeres. But despite the undoubted quality on the pitch of Arsenal's glitzy new additions, Arteta revealed this week that a good personality is the most important trait he looks for in a player. He made the surprising revelation while speaking at the announcement of his new role as Under Armour's global ambassador this week, saying: 'Personality (is the most important trait. Without that, you have no chance. You have to look at somebody's eyes. The Gunners have bolstered their squad this summer with the signings of Viktor Gyokeres and Noni Madueke, as well as Spanish midfielder Martin Zubimendi 'When I go to sign a player, sometimes it's on Zoom and I open the laptop. It's the first impression. 'Is this guy ready to put that jersey on, work in that dressing room and take all the noise that us surrounding his signing and deal with it in the right way? 'And then we go to the qualities and how this player is going to relate to other people because at the end, this player is going to have to glide into the dressing room. So, you have to imagine this personality and in this position and how they are going to connect with Martin Odegaard and Declan Rice.' The Gunners are gearing up for the start of their Premier League campaign on Sunday, when they take on Manchester United at Old Trafford in an important game for both managers. After a dire first season at the helm, Ruben Amorim will be hoping to start his second term strongly after bringing in Matheus Cunha, Bryan Mbuemo and most recently Benjamin Sesko. While Arteta will be looking to live up to fans' expectations of a trophy this season after plugging the hole up-front which blighted the Gunners last season with Viktor Gyokeres. But Amorim is more likely than most managers to be able to stop the powerful Swede having managed him at Sporting Lisbon. Indeed, in quotes which recirculated this week, back in March 2024 the Portuguese coach gave a brutal assessment of Gyokeres' game, highlighting a major flaw. 'There's a lot Gyokeres needs to improve on,' Amorim had said in the aftermath of Sporting crashing out of the Europa League to Atalanta by virtue of a 3-2 aggregate defeat. 'He plays the same way against a slow or a fast centre-back. Everything he does in the Portuguese First Division, he does against Atalanta. 'He can still improve his understanding of the game. He still lacks defensive reaction, and all coaches look at that.' Gyokeres will no-doubt be looking to get his Arsenal career off to a bang on Sunday with a goal against his former boss's new side.
Metro
3 minutes ago
- Metro
Paul Merson makes Man Utd vs Arsenal predication in 'must-win' for Gunners
Paul Merson feels the trip to Manchester United on Sunday is absolutely critical for Arsenal and their Premier League title hopes this season. The new campaign gets going on Friday night as the defending champions Liverpool host Bournemouth, with the most eye-catching game of the first weekend coming on Sunday. The Red Devils host the Gunners at Old Trafford with Ruben Amorim hoping to prove that his team are much improved from last season's disaster, while Mikel Arteta wants to take the first step on a title challenge. Arsenal have finished second in each of the last three seasons and the pressure is starting to mount on the Spaniard to deliver a significant piece of silverware in the near future. Merson feels the Gunners have to get their campaign off with a win, especially with very difficult games to follow, which could see them lose ground early in the title race. Metro's new weekly football newsletter: In The Mixer. Exclusive analysis, FPL tips and transfer talk sent straight to your inbox every Friday – sign up, it's an open goal. The former England star told SportsKeeda: 'This is a must-win game for Arsenal, it's as simple as that! If you have a look at their fixtures after this weekend, it goes like – Leeds United at home, Liverpool away, Forest and Man City at home before a trip to Newcastle. 'If they don't beat Manchester United on Sunday, I don't expect them to beat Liverpool and City during this run! So all of a sudden, they could be seven or nine points behind in the title race. 'Viktor Gyokeres scored a brilliant header in pre-season. When Arsenal are under pressure in certain games, he will become a nuisance to opponents by running the channels and working the defenders. He's a real presence in front of goal and you can count on him to cause problems to opponents. 'I think Arsenal can win the league, if they can keep all their main players fit. I'd be shocked if Gyokeres, Bukayo Saka and Martin Odegaard all play 35 games and arsenal still don't win the Premier League. They are massive favourites if that happens.' It is a big claim to put Arsenal as 'massive favourites' ahead of Liverpool and Manchester City if they just keep their players fit, but Merson is backing the club where he became an icon. He is also backing them to pick up the all important win on Sunday, tipped the Gunners to head back to north London with a 2-1 victory. Manchester United legends Roy Keane and Gary Neville also discussed the fixture on the Stick to Football podcast, with the Irishman agreeing with Merson's prediction of 2-1 to Arsenal. Neville, though, has backed his former club for a dream start to the season. 'United are winning that,' said Neville. 'I'm going United, 2-1. I just think it's a really bad game for Arsenal to get first up. I think it's a challenging game for Arsenal first up.' More Trending Alan Shearer has gone for the other option, tipping a draw at Old Trafford this weekend. The Premier League legend told Metro: 'It's wonderful for us to sit down on Sunday and watch two giants go head to head so early in the season. Tough one to call but I'll go for a draw. 'There's always a surprise result on the opening weekend. I don't know what a surprise result would be in this game. It's so tough to call with so many interesting moving parts. Gyokores on one side, Sesko on the other. 'Amorim and Gyokores know each other really well. Zubimendi may free up Declan Rice more, Man United have done really well in forward positions. It's a tough one to call so early in the season. There'll be needle at Old Trafford.' MORE: Man Utd make final decision on Carlos Baleba transfer pursuit after Brighton talks MORE: Nuno Espirito Santo makes startling admission about 'major problem' at Nottingham Forest MORE: Ruben Amorim reveals midfield alternative if Man Utd don't sign Carlos Baleba
The Independent
3 minutes ago
- The Independent
Liverpool vs AFC Bournemouth LIVE: Premier League team news, line-ups and more
Follow live coverage as Liverpool face AFC Bournemouth today in the Premier League. Another top-flight season will be covered in full right here with The Independent, as reigning champions Liverpool look to fend off competition from Arsenal, Manchester City and more. The race for the Champions League places should also be a compelling battle, with a fifth place possible for English teams. Manchester United's latest rebuild under Ruben Amorim sets expectations high once more after a dismal season last time out. Meanwhile, it's Burnley, Leeds United and Sunderland who made it back to the elite after promotion last year and each will have hope they can make it more than a one-year stay. Follow the latest live action from the Premier League below:
